The Personal Development Blog

Tag: interviewing

Ah, interviews. No one likes them, but they’re still a crucial part of the process. Face-to-face (or face-to-screen) interactions are critical for both applicant and interviewer to get a feel for the intangible, hard-to-quantify things, like “fit.” There are at least a thousand different articles that can tell you about the nuts and bolts of interviewing, like how to dress and which questions to ask, so today, I’ll instead talk about the process in general.

First, and most importantly…confidence is key. Interviewing is nerve-wracking, and it only gets more stressful the more you want the job. However, hiring managers are looking to find applicants who are cool, calm, and collected, and who project a sense of expertise and show drive for the work. Figure out how to tap into this confidence on your own, both in low- and high-pressure situations, so you can bring it out on the day of the interview. This may come through practicing questions with a friend, working out, practicing some breathing techniques, or (my go-to) listening to your favorite pump-up playlist and imagining yourself kicking ass. The more interviewing you do and the more jobs you have, this will get easier, but figuring out the strategies that work for you now will benefit you in the long run.

Also, know your audience. I don’t mean reading up on the company, though that’s important, too. When you get to the interview, get a feel for your interviewer. Are they someone who is going to look for formal responses, or are they more casual? Did they show up in a t-shirt and jeans, or a fitted suit? I’d always advise leaning formal in interviews for both your outfit and demeanor (though I always advocate that you be yourself—of course, the best version of yourself!), but sometimes, a casual, friendly attitude will be more welcome than a purely professional one. This is why it will benefit you to get the tone of the interview early. Of course, some interviewers may try to test you and stress you out—first of all, boo (I hate this tactic), but second, take a deep breath and respond as you truly would. Don’t let anyone steamroll you or beat you down—chances are, if they’re like that in the interview, they’ll be like that as a manager, too.

Finally, follow up. This means both thanking the interviewer both at the end of the interview as well as after (by email or phone, whichever method you’ve been using to communicate), but also, by establishing next steps at the end of the interview. Ask when you expect to hear from the interviewer, and what the next step will be, whether it’s another interview, an offer, or a decision. That way, you won’t be sitting around wondering whether or not they’ve decided (or worst case, ghosted!), and if you don’t hear around when you’re “supposed” to, it allows you to check in without feeling pushy.